The basic measurement unit of the Omnistereomeasurer BPR will contain a main 
coordinatograph system from which the digital values of each desired X, Y, and Z 
position may be seen as well as electrically recorded. For precision measurement 
of profile and cross sections, an auxiliary coordinatograph is provided for orien 
tation perpendicular to a highway centerline or survey base line at any point within 
the area of the stereoscopic model. Each measurement is seen and automatically 
recorded in digital form for centerline or base line station, Y-distance from cen 
terline, and elevation. The control unit for this auxiliary coordinatograph will be 
attached to the main control console of the instrument. 
The basic measurement system with its associated control and digital display unit 
constitutes the source of electrical signals. These signals are used in a variety of 
automatically operating digital recording devices to achieve the flexibility needed 
to adapt the Omnistereomeasurer BPR to deliver the many kinds of data arising 
from mapping, and from measuring specific positions and dimensions, as desired. 
The automatic digital recording devices constitute a family of auxiliary equipment 
units. These units are utilized singly or together according to work required of the 
instrument system. Designed to date are auxiliary devices for orthographic ren 
dering of the photographic imagery, with automatic superposition of contours; for 
digital recording, using separate channels on magnetic tape, continuous or inter 
mittent X, Y, and Z coordinates of all desired points; and for delineating, with 
a precision coordinatograph, topographic and planimetric detail in conventional 
map form, or profile and cross sections, as desired. 
The orthophotograph production device will employ a high intensity cathode ray 
tube to project each photographic image from either of the two vidicon cameras 
through an adjustable aperture to form an image in a photographic emulsion. The 
photographic image projector unit will duplicate, to scale, the X and Y motions 
of the Omnistereomeasurer BPR and will be programed for scanning and pro 
ducing a photograph of the entire stereoscopic model area. Since each photo 
graphic element is reproduced at its orthographic position, the developed picture 
will be a true orthophotograph. Contours will be superimposed on this orthopho 
tograph by a series of contacts which alter the intensity of the output of the cathode 
ray tube projection at the intercept elevation of each successive contour. 
The digital data recording unit will contain circuits and a writing head to permit 
recording of selected X, Y, and Z coordinates automatically on magnetic tape for 
subsequent use in electronic computer programs or to prepare graphic presentations 
by use of plotting devices. The digital data recording unit will also include pro 
vision for automatically recording, on command, all elements of orientation of 
each stereoscopic model for recovery and reorientation, if needed, and particularly 
for control bridging and cantilever extension. 
To reduce system costs, while preserving system flexibility, the orthophotograph 
auxiliary unit will be constructed to use the same basic coordinatograph used for 
map compilation from digital data. The control system of this coordinatograph 
will accept applicable digital data from the measurement unit and will drive,